Many common household products contain
chemicals that are poisonous, corrosive, flammable, and/or chemically
reactive. Typical hazardous products
include: disinfectants, ammonia,
bleach, drain openers, pesticides, paint and related products, pool chemicals,
automotive fluids, oven, tub, tile and toilet bowl cleaners, batteries,
fluorescent bulbs.
The average
household contains between 3 – 10 gallons of materials whose use or improper
disposal poses a threat to human health or to the natural environment.
Labels of hazardous products are
required by federal law to list signal words that you should become
familiar with to help you learn to safely handle hazardous products. These
signal words are put on the labels of hazardous products enabling you, as
conscientious consumers, to make educated choices about your risks when using
the products.
Flammable/combustible: can
be easily set on fire.
Explosive/reactive: detonate or explode through exposure to heat, sudden shock, pressure or
incompatible substances.
Corrosive:
chemical action can burn and destroy living tissues or other material
when brought into contact.
Danger/poison:
indicates product is highly toxic.
Drinking a few drops to 1 tsp. of the product will kill the
average person.
Warning:
drinking 1 tsp. to 1 ounce of the product will kill the average
person.
Caution:
drinking over 1 ounce of the product will kill the average
person.
When hazardous household products are
no longer usable or wanted, they become household hazardous wastes that when
disposed of improperly, pose a threat to sanitation workers and our environment
in general. What can you do to make
your home and environment safe?
Look for safer
alternatives – visit the Recycling Center’s website for more information on how
to find safer alternatives. Buy the
least hazardous product that will get the job done – let the signal words be
your guide. Read the label
carefully. Make sure it is the product
you want to buy and that you are willing to follow the safety precautions. Pay careful attention to proper use
instructions and dangers. Do not mix
products unless instructed by label directions. Keep products out of the reach of children and pets. Remember that children and pets can not read
the danger signs. Store all hazardous
products away from food items and make sure they are clearly labeled. Leave products in their original
containers. Never put hazardous
products in food or beverage containers!
Bring your household hazardous wastes to the 6th Annual
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day for Rome and Floyd County
residents. This event is designed to
offer our citizens a safe, environmentally sound method of dealing with these
materials. It is for residential wastes
only – no commercial material will be accepted. The event is a one day collection that is free to all residents
of Rome and Floyd County - Saturday, May 14, 2005 from 9 am until 2 pm at the
Rome Braves Baseball Stadium. For more
detailed information, visit our website at www.romefloydrecycles.org or call
us at 291-5266. This is your
once-a-year opportunity to safely dispose of those old products – so don’t miss
out.